Published: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 05:08 PM.

Commissioners also voted to urge the state Department of Environmental Protection to allow the use of Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park as an alternate site for the tower.

Telecommunications firm Crown Castle has proposed placing the tower on the north side of Bay Drive if it can’t negotiate a lease extension with the property owners where its existing tower stands on Nelson Point Road. The company requested the 90-day delay because of a death in the family that owns the property and said it needed more time to negotiate.

Several of the dozens of Bluewater Bay homeowners who attended Tuesday’s public hearing voiced opposition to the tower.

“I’m still worried about the direction we’re going,” said Jack Brooks, who lives on Lido Circle.

Brooks and other residents said the tower will hurt their property values and the overall appearance of the community.

Several residents said they like the idea of putting the tower in the state park.

Attorney Lauralee Westine, who represents Crown Castle, said she plans to apply to the DEP on behalf of her client, but isn’t sure the application will meet the agency’s strict criteria.

Commissioner Wayne Harris urged the Bluewater Bay homeowners to take their concerns to the state “to ramp up public interest.”

“Send those letters and emails and cards to your state representatives,” Harris said.

County officials say the existing cell tower is critical because it supports antennas for many law enforcement, fire and rescue agencies. Those antennas would be moved to the new cell tower if it is approved.

Commissioners also voted to urge the state Department of Environmental Protection to allow the use of Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park as an alternate site for the tower.

Telecommunications firm Crown Castle has proposed placing the tower on the north side of Bay Drive if it can’t negotiate a lease extension with the property owners where its existing tower stands on Nelson Point Road. The company requested the 90-day delay because of a death in the family that owns the property and said it needed more time to negotiate.

Several of the dozens of Bluewater Bay homeowners who attended Tuesday’s public hearing voiced opposition to the tower.

“I’m still worried about the direction we’re going,” said Jack Brooks, who lives on Lido Circle.

Brooks and other residents said the tower will hurt their property values and the overall appearance of the community.

Several residents said they like the idea of putting the tower in the state park.

Attorney Lauralee Westine, who represents Crown Castle, said she plans to apply to the DEP on behalf of her client, but isn’t sure the application will meet the agency’s strict criteria.

Commissioner Wayne Harris urged the Bluewater Bay homeowners to take their concerns to the state “to ramp up public interest.”

“Send those letters and emails and cards to your state representatives,” Harris said.

County officials say the existing cell tower is critical because it supports antennas for many law enforcement, fire and rescue agencies. Those antennas would be moved to the new cell tower if it is approved.